ps 
3174 


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THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


MX' 


FLOWERS    FROM    ARCADIA. 


TRICOSTEMA. 
(BLUC  CURLS.) 


SCARLET    LARKSPUR. 


FLOWERS  FROM  ARCADIA 


A  Series  of  Kondeanx  and   Verses  showing  the  various  Flowers  of  Affection 
that  Blossom  by  the   Wayside  of  Life 


ILLUSTRATED  WITH  STEEL  ENGRAVINGS 
AND    EMBELLISHED    WITH   CALIFORNIA     WILD   FLOWERS 


Gbristmas  Greeting 


JAMES  T.  WHITE 


Copyright,  1884 

JAMES    T.    WHITE   &>    CO.,    Publishers 
23  Dupont  St.,  San  Francisco 


/i 

Ms 


DEDICATION. 

J~\EAR  friend,  though  seen  by  other  eyes, 
"^^^      Your  heart  must  read  through  all  disguise, 
What  tender  meaning  underlies 

This  Christmas  Greeting: 

for  you  these  humble  flowers  grow; 

To  you  their  sweet-breathed  greetings  go, — 

The  message  you  already  know 

Once  more  repeating. 


611115 


PRELUDE. 

/I  BOOK  of  songs,  a  jar  of  wine, 

A  loaf,  and  Thou,  dear  friend  of  mine, 
Beside  me  in  the  Wilderness; — 
Oh !  then  the  Wilderness  would  be 
Arcadia  indeed  to  me, 

So  great  would  be  my  happiness. 

Paraphrased  from  the  Persian  of  Omar  Khayyam. 


'T~*  O  A  ready  hast  thou  ne'er  been? 

Then  let  me  %ive  the  mystic  key, 
The  password  that  shall  take  thee  in 
To  Arcady. 

LOVE. — Love  that  worketh  charity; 
That  holdeth  all  mankind  as  kin; 
That  beareth  human  sympathy. 

Love  is  the  only  door  therein; 

And  Love,  the  "  open  sesame  " 
Whereby  thou  may'st  an  entrance  win 
To  Arcadv. 


CONTENTS. 


Dedication. 
Prelude. 

I.  Nemophila, 

II.  Columbine, 

III.  Brodiaea, 

IV.  Platystemon,  . 

V.  Ceanothus, 

VI.  Chlorogalum,  . 

VII.  Tricostema, 

VIII.  Scarlet  Larkspur, 

IX.  Manzanita, 

X.  Fritillaria, 

XI.  Geyser  Lily,    . 

XII.  Mariposa  Lily, 

XIII.  Thurberia,       . 

XIV.  California  Azalea, 
XV.  Eschscholtzia, 

XVI.     Clematis, 
L 'Envoi. 


Admiration 

Entanglement 

Devotion 

Confession 

Absence 

Longing 

Entreaty 

Betrothal 

Marriage 

Paternity 

Anniversary 

Solicitude 

Com  memoratio 

Retrospection 

Twilight 

Trust 


FLOWERS    FROM    ARCADIA. 


NEMOPHILA. 

ADMIRATION. 

Camoens  wrote  a  sonnet  to  his  sweetheart, 
Catrina,  the  refrain  of  which  was, 
"  Siveetest  eyes  were  ever  seen." 

ROUNDEL. 

'OWEETEST  eyes  were  ever  seen." 
^     Could  the  Poet  e'er  devise 
Daintier  praise, — than  gave  Catrine 
Sweetest  eyes? 

And  which  are  the  sweetest  eyes? 
Soft  and  melting,  lustrous,  keen, 
Merry, — or  demure  and  wise? 

Eyes  that  shine  with  light  serene, 

Mirrored  from  Love's  happy  skies, — 
Like  thine  own,  dear, — are,  I  ween, 
Sweetest  eyes. 


COLUMBINE. 

ENTANGLEMENT. 

After  Herrick. 

O  BEE-KISSED  Columbine, 
Tell  this  sweet  friend  of  mine 
That  she, 
Like  thee, 
Hath  ruby  lip 
Where  I  would  sip, 

Like  wanton  bee. 
And  too,  like  thee, 
She  bends  her  lily  head 
And  smiles, — but  ties 
My  heart  with  subtle  thread 
Drawn  from  her  eyes. 
She  prisons  me, — 
But  then,  ah  me! 
Her  dungeon  takes  from  me 
All  wish  for  liberty : 

Her  sweet  bond  blesses  me, 
Her  smile  caresses  me, 
And  in  her  gentle  heart  I  lie 
At  rest, 
Caressed 
By  Love's  delicious  lullaby. 


BRODI/EA. 

DEVOTION. 

RONDEAU. 

TN  days  gone  by  these  wild  flowers  fair 
*•     Were  made  sweet  messengers  to  bear 
My  homage  and  fond  thoughts  to  you, — 
If  peradventure  they  might  woo 
Your  maiden  fancy  unaware. 

To  me  these  sweet-breathed  blossoms  are 
Reminders  still  of  that  fond  care 
For  you,  which  in  my  bosom  grew 
In  days  gone  by. 

Your  dear  familiar  face  they  wear, 
And  in  their  beauty  I  compare 

The  old-time  charm  they  bring  anew: — 

I  wonder  if  they  bring  to  you 
The  message  they  were  wont  to  bear 
In  days  gone  by? 


PLATYSTEMON. 

(CREAM  CUP.) 


PLATYSTEMON. 


CONFESSION. 


Can  f  teach,  thee,  my  beloved? 

Can  I  teach  thee'' 
Can  I  bless  thee,  my  beloved  * 

Can  I  bless  thee  ? 
A  fas.'  I  can  but  love  thee. 

— Mrs.  Browning. 


THOU  hast  taught  me,  my  beloved; 
Thou  hast  taught  me : 
Taught  me  Life's  pro  founder  meaning; 
Taught  me  honor,  virtue, — weaning 
Me  from  all  ignoble  things: 
On  Imagination's  wings 
Taught  me  how  to  soar,  and  find 
Rarest  pleasure  in  the  mind : 
Taught  me  Life's  dull  incompleteness 
Without  Love's  renewing  sweetness: 
From  the  height  of  thy  pure  soul 
Taught  me  passion  to  control; 

And  hast  brought  me 
At  thy  gentle  feet  to  learn 
What  thy  clearer  eyes  discern. 


Thou  hast  blessed  me,  my  beloved, 

Thou  hast  blessed  me  : 
Blessed  me  with  thy  tender  eyes, 
Which  look  on  me  in  such  a  wise 
My  faint  soul  grows  strong  again, 
As  the  flowers  after  rain : 
And  they  rest  me, 

While  they  more  and  more  enchain. 
Thou  hast  blessed  me  with  thy  words: 
Sweeter  than  the  song  of  birds, 
They  have  soothed  my  weary  brain, 
Banished  every  care  and  pain 
That  distressed  me, 


And  a  new  strength  put  within  me 
To  resist  delights  that  win  me 
From  the  duty  God  commands. 
Thou  hast  blessed  me  with  thy  hands, 
Which  have  ever  shared  my  toil, 
Heeding  neither  ache  nor  soil, 

And  caressed  me, 
Making  all  my  burdens  lighter, 
And  the  sky  of  hope  still  brighter. 
Dear  hands, — only  made  for  smoothing 
Restless  pillows,  and  for  soothing 
Tired  hearts, — would  they  were  mine 
To  have  and  hold  by  right  divine ! 

Dost  thou  love  me,  my  beloved  ? 

Dost  thou  love  me  ? 
Thou  whom  I  have  from  afar 
Watched  and  worshipped,  like  a  star 

That  above  me 

Shines,  and  yet  may  never  know 
The  blessing  that  its  beams  bestow  ? 
Thou  hast  taught  me,  thou  hast  blessed  me, 
And  with  happiest  thoughts  possessed  me, 

But  to  love  me 

Is  the  crowning  of  all  blessing; 
Making  me  by  thy  confessing 
Rich  beyond  all  power  to  measure, — 
Royal, — crowned  by  thy  sweet  pleasure 
Sovereign  of  a  fair  domain 
I  had  never  thought  to  gain. 
Blessing,  honor,  rest,  thou  art, 
And  with  undivided  heart, 

Dear,  I  love  thee, — 
Love  thee  more  than  words  can  tell: — 
And  I  would  that  my  caressing 
Could  bring  thee  so  rich  a  blessing, 
And  forever  more  compel 
Love's  peace  in  thy  heart  to  dwell. 


CEANOTHUS. 


THF^  day  is  night  when  thou  art  gone;  the  night 
Is  long,  and  silence,  like  a  roaring  sea 
By  angry  tempest  driven,  thunders  on 
My  utter  loneliness  and  solitude. 
O  friend  beloved,  how  can  I  part  from  thee ! 
How  can  I  say  farewell  to  those  bright  eyes, — 
Those  eyes  which  bless  me  with  their  tender  light ! 
How  can  I  say  farewell  to  those  soft  hands, — 
Those  hands  which  hold  me  in  their  light  caress! 
How  can  I  say  farewell  to  those  sweet  lips, — 
Those  lips  which  teach  me  Love's  divinest  law! 
How  can  I  say  farewell  to  that  dear  heart, — 
That  heart  which  is  to  me  my  Heaven,  my  all! 
No,  no,  dear  love,  I  cannot  part  from  thee : 
My  heart  on  angel  wings  will  follow  thee, 
And  find  thee,  wheresoe'er  thou  art;  will  hold 
Thee  still  in  sweet  embrace,  and  whisper  Love's 
Unwearied  story  to  thy  listening  ear. 
My  thoughts  in  sweet  companionship  will  still 
Thy  gentle  footsteps  lead  where  sunniest  skies 
Their  azure  keep  undimmed,  and  genial  climes 
Perpetual  fragrance  shed.     My  thoughts,  with  Love's 
Transforming  wand,  will  touch  the  wild  flowers  in 
Thy  path,  and  bid  them  yield  a  sweeter  breath 
And  wear  for  thee  a  brighter  face  and  smile. 
They  will  sweet  odors  bring  of  home  and  friends 
And  dear  remembered  hours,  if  haply  they 
May  tempt  a  restless,  wandering  thought,  and  turn 
Remembrance  back  to  homelier  scenes — and  me. 

Sweet  heart,  my  thoughts  thy  guardian  angels  be, 
And  bring  thee  safe  to  home,  and  love,  and  me ! 


CHLOROGALUM. 

LONGING. 

"  And  then  I  know  some  thought  from  yon 
HasJJc-wn  across  the  night  and  found  me. 

A  nd  though  I  love,  and  though  I  trust, 
And  yet  -mill  love  and  trust  forever, 

Ah!  dear,  I  long  and  yearn  for  just 
One  glance,  one  touch  to  still  the  fever." 

MY  OWN  DEAR  LOVE, 

Your  tuneful  lay 

Has  found  me  weary,  sad  and  lonely ; 
The  promise  of  my  strife  has  fled, 

And  left  me  disappointment  only. 
Could  you  have  known  my  weariness, 

Or  known  how  great  my  heart's  depression, 
Your  pitying  thoughts  could  not  have  sent 
More  healing  balm  than  this  confession. 

Yes,  dear,  my  restless  thoughts  have  flown 

Across  the  night,  to  you  returning 
Like  carrier  birds  at  last  set  free 

Instinctively  their  home  discerning. 
They  must  have  told  you,  dear,  how  much 

I  want  you,  need  you  every  hour; 
That  life  without  you  is  unblest, — 

The  perfume  gone  from  every  flower. 


I  long  and  yearn  for  you  as  well, 

To  hold  you  in  Love's  fond  caresses : 
One  glance,  one  touch  will  never  fill 

The  need  my  waiting  heart  confesses. 
I  want  you  in  my  daily  life, — 

My  dear  companion,  fond  and  tender: 
And  you  shall  be  my  rest, — my  joy, 

And  I,  your  helpmeet  and  defender. 

Whene'er  I  read  your  matchless  lines, 

Of  fond  regret  and  hopeful  waiting, 
Their  tender  longing  lifts  my  heart 

To  you  in  happy  contemplating. 
Their  music  round  me  weaves  a  tie, 

Nor  distance,  age,  nor  time  can  sever; 
And,  dear,  to  strengthen  this  sweet  bond, 

Shall  be  through  life  my  one  endeavor. 


TRICOSTEMA. 

ENTREATY. 

RONDEAI 

ABIDE  with  me,  O  gentle  guest ! 
Thy  presence  brings  to  me  sweet  rest; 
Thy  hands  bring  soothing  to  my  brow; 
Thy  words  such  sympathy  avow, 
Thy  going  leaves  me  all  unblest. 

Still  fairer  shall  thy  bower  be  dressed; 
Anticipated  each  request; 

One  song  thy  life  shall  be,  if  thou 
Abide  with  me. 

I  would  not  longer  have  thee- guest; 

I  cannot  hold  thee  uncaressed 

So  near  my  heart:     Sweet  love,  be  thou 
My  bride;  Love's  tend'rest  name  allow, 

And  ever  in  his  happy  rest 

Abide  with  me. 


SCARLET  LARKSPUR. 

BETROTHAL. 

Re 

"  T  WILL  thy  lot  and. portion  share; 
*•     Will  love  and  honor  thee,  and  fill 
The  measure  of  thy  need,  whate'er 


This  tender  flower  cherish,  till 

In  Heaven  it  blooms  more  bright  and  fair, 
For  love  in  Heaven  will  blossom  still. 

And  Love's  fair  flower  hath  made  thee  heir 

To  a  new  life  beyond  death's  chill; — 
Eternity  hath  heard  this,  dear, 
"I  will." 


MANZANITA. 

MARRIAGE. 

RONDEAU. 

O  HEART,  beloved !     I  dedicate, 
The  powers  and  aims  of  man's  estate — 
The  dearest  hopes  of  life  to  thee; 
Thy  happiness  my  care  shall  be, 
On  every  wish  my  love  shall  wait. 

I  sought  thee  not  for  wealth  nor  state; 
Though  countless  graces  on  thee  wait, 

Twas  thy  sweet,  loving  self  made  thee. 
O  heart,  beloved. 

If  frowning  fortune  be  our  fate, 
More  tender  and  affectionate 

My  sympathizing  love  shall  be ; 

No  ills  that  Heaven  may  decree 
Our  knitted  souls  can  separate, 

O  heart,  beloved! 


MANZANITA, 


FRITILLARIA. 


FRITILLARIA. 

PATERNITY. 

Rou 

I'M  four  years  old; — and  by  the  way 
*•     That  must  be  why  my  papa  told 
Me  not  to  cry,  because  to-day 

I'm  four  years  old. 

I'll  try  and  not  again  be  told; 

And  when  I  may  not  have  my  way 
I'll  strive  the  starting  tears  to  hold. 

But  when  I  hurt  myself  if  they 

Do  come,  and  will  not  be  controlled, 
I'll  stop,  and  to  myself  I'll  say, 

"  I'm  four  years  old." 


GEYSER   LILY. 

ANNIVERSARY. 

RONDEAU. 

HTHE  bells  were  told  to  ring  in  glee 
*       The  day  when  first  thou  cam'st  to  be 
Our  home's  delight ;  and  in  my  heart, 
By  Love's  supreme,  mysterious  art, 
These  bells  have  rung  unceasingly. 

And  on  this  day  there  comes  to  me 
Anew  the  tender  memory 

Of  that  sweet  joy,  which  but  in  part 
The  bells  were  told. 

Dear  child,  in  whose  sweet  eyes  I  see 
The  Heaven  that  waits  above  for  me, 

How  far  from  me  would  Heaven  depart ; 

How  comfqrtless  would  be  my  heart, 
If  through  some  darkened  day  for  thee 
The  bells  were  tolled ! 


MARIPOSA     LILY. 


THURBERIA. 


MARIPOSA  LILY. 

SOLICITUDE. 

ROUNI 

T    IKE  one  of  these,  Art  hath  not  made 
•*— '     Attire  that  can  our  eyes  so  please; 
E'en  Solomon  was  not  arrayed 

Like  one  of  these. 

Consider  how  they  grow  in  ease 

And  leisure,  dancing  in  the  glade 
Like  butterflies  upon  the  breeze. 

Then  be  not  thou  with  burdens  weighed ; 

If  He  a  flower's  need  o'ersees 
Thou  too  shalt  on  His  care  be  laid 

Like  one  of  these. 

Mariposa— Spanish  for  Butterfly. 


THURBERIA. 

COMMEMORATION. 

''THESE  wedding  bells  for  fifteen  years 
*       Have  rung  alternate  joys  and  knells, 
Till  now  our  deepened  love  endears 
These  wedding  bells. 

These  fifteen  years,  dear  wife,  have  brought 

Much  more  of  happiness  than  tears, 
While  Love  has  many  lessons  taught 
These  fifteen  years. 

Love  taught  us,  dear,  that  hearts  are  torn 
By  words  and  looks,  as  millstones  tear; 
That  burdens  shared,  are  easiest  borne, 
Love  taught  us,  dear. 

As  years  go  by,  with  ruddier  glow 

Shall  Love  adorn  our  sunset  sky; 
And  closer  still  our  hearts  shall  grow, 
As  years  go  by. 


CALIFORNIA   AZALEA. 

RETROSPECTION. 

'T'HE  Christmas  Bells  from  hill  and  tower 
A       To-night  their  benedictions  shower; 
And  on  the  waves  of  their  sweet  chimes, 
Fond  thoughts  of  home  and  olden  times 
Set  sail  through  memory's  Golden  Gate : 
Deep  laden  with  love's  precious  freight, 
They  speed  their  homeward  course  to-night 
Across  the  sea  with  Ariel  flight. 

O  you,  who  wait  returning  sails, 
Whose  eyes  hope  long-deferred  o'erveils 
With  lowering  clouds,  take  heart  again! 
For  lo !  unseen  through  mist  and  rain 
Of  tears,  a  thousand  white-winged  keels, 
Afloat  on  billowy  Christmas  peals, 
Seek  haven  in  your  hearts  to-night, 
Home  guided  by  love's  beacon  light. 

Dear  friends,  though  sundered  far  and  wide; 

Though  varied  quests  our  thoughts  divide, 

May  these  rich  argosies  of  love 

My  tender,  faithful  memory  prove; 

May  they  to-night  new  love  awake, 

And  in  this  festive  season  make 

Your  hearts  forget  the  old  farewells, 

In  greetings  brought  by  Christmas  Bells. 


ESCHSCHOLTZIA. 

TWILIGHT. 

A  S  children,  when  the  day  is  done 
•**•     And  twilight  deepens,  one  by  one 
Around  the  evening  fireside  come 

With  happy  faces; 

Brightening  the  home  with  quiet  cheer, 
And  drawing  every  heart  more  near 
In  perfected  affection's  dear 

And  fond  embraces : 


So  may  sweet  memories  come  to  you; 

And  whisp'ring  the  old  love  anew 

May  thoughts  of  those  long  lost  to  view 

Around  you  cluster : 
May  their  fond  greetings  so  delight 
That  you  forget  the  gathering  night, 
While  earth's  horizon  grows  more  bright 

With  heavenly  luster. 

Without  a  thought  of  vain  regret, 
Then  may  these  latter  days  be  set 
In  Joy's  completed  coronet, 

Heaven's  richest  dower: 
May  they  with  blessings  be  replete; 
And  be,  in  Love's  reunion  sweet, 
A  season  when  loved  memories  meet, — 

Life's  twilight  hour. 


CLEMATIS. 

TRUST. 

RONDEAU. 

IF  hearts  are  dust,  hearts'  loves  remain, 
And  somewhere,  far  above  the  plane 
Of  earthly  thought,  beyond  the  sea 
That  bounds  this  life,  they  will  meet  thee 
And  hold  thee  face  to  face  again. 

And  when  is  done  Life's  restless  reign, 
If  I  hereafter  but  regain 

Heart's  love,  why  should  I  troubled  be, 
If  hearts  are  dust? 

By  Love's  indissoluble  chain, 

I  know  the  grave  does  not  detain 

Heart's  love.     The  very  faith  in  me 

Is  pledge  of  an  eternity, 
Where  I  shall  find  heart's  love  again, 
If  hearts  are  dust. 


L'ENVOI. 

rl  ^HA  T I  might  share  with  thee,  dear  friend,  the  sweet 

Enjoyment  Memory  brings,  Tve  sought  to  lay 
On  these  fair  pages  little  bits  of  tint 
And  color — here  and  there  a  study,  worked, 
Sometimes  in  smiles,  sometimes  in  tears, — if  they 
Perchance  might  hold  thy  wandering  thoughts  awhile, 
And  lead  thee  back  to  Arcady — and  me. 


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